NORTH WEST DENDROCHRONOLOGY PROJECT DATING OLD WELSH HOUSES

BODLOSGAD , (old county Merioneth)

NGR SH 710 411

HOUSE HISTORY

1292 – 3 (Lanfrothin) in Ardudwy. “Win Veyl de Botlosked 3s. 4d. (The Merioneth Lay Subsidy Roll, by Keith Williams-Jones. A late C13 list of taxpayers for Merioneth. Page 65). This is obviously before the present house.

1561 spring felling date. A typical plan house with mural stair. (Oxford Dendrochronology Laboratory sampling)

1623 Griffyth ap Ieuan ap Phivion pro Bodlosked 2 0 idem p bryn mawr 0 4 (line crossed through) John Wyn pro Erw ddeunant 0 6 Idem pro Bwlch Bodloscedd 0 4 Idem pro Hen Fynwent Fechan 0 2 (NLW, ms 12731E, Ardudwy Crown Rental; Ffestiniog parish)

1632 Ap. 20. 1. Elin Griffith of Festiniocke, wife of John ap Hugh Lewis of Festiniock, gent and David Loid ap Howel, son and heir apparent of the said Elin Griffith 2. Hugh Lewis of Maentwrock, gent and Evan ap Robert ap Nicholas of Festiniock, yeoman, both of co. Merioneth. GRANT OF USES (post nuptual settlement upon the marriage of the said David Lloid ap Howell and Gwen, verch Lewis, one of the daughters of Lewis ap Robert ap Nichols of Llanvihangall y Traythey. co Merioneth) of messuages called Bodlosgad and Cay Rhys with their appurtenant lone(?) parishes of Festinioch and Maentorock. Seals (NLW, The Elwes Documents, No. 670)

1662 Hearth Tax. Howell Lloyd, Bodlosdgedd Ffestiniog Parish 2 hearths (MHRS Journal Vol. 2, Part 1, 1953 p. 27)

1674 Sept. 23. 1. Howell Lloyd and Hugh Lloyd both of Bodlosked in the parish of Festiniog, co. Merioneth, gentlemen. 2. Sir Richard Lloyd of Escluse, co. Denbigh, Kt. LEASE for 21 years of a messuage called Bodlosked in the parish of Festinicke, co. Merioneth, and lands called Kae’r Ty, Kae Pompren, Y ffith, Kae coch, Bryn Mwdle issa, Bryn y Mwdle icha, Kefn y panwl, Y Coed, Cai tan y tai, Buarthey newyddion and y gorse goch in the said parish of Festiniocke. (NLW The Elwes Documents, No. 999)

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1674 Sept 23 1. Sir Richard Lloyd of Escluse. Co. Denbigh kt; 2. Howell Lloyd of Bodlosked in the parish of Festinicke,co Merioneth. Gent. DEFEASANCE of no. 999 (NLW The Elwes Documents, No. 1000)

1690 June 3 1. Howell Lloyd and Hugh Lloyd both of Bodlosked in the parish of Festiniocke, co. Merioneth and lands called Kae’r ty, Kae Pompren, y weirglodd tan y Ty, Kae Gwynne(?), y ffryth, Cae coch, Bryn y Mwdle issa, Bryn y Mwdle ucha, Kefn Pannwl, y coed, Kai tan Tai, Buartheg newyddion and y gorse gorch all in Festiniocke (NLW The Elwes Documents, No. 1064)

1690 June. Parties as in no. 1064 RELEASE of properties specified in 1064 (NLW The Elwes Documents, No 1065) 1696 June 25 1. Howell Lloyd and Hugh Llwyd both of Bodlosked, co. Merioneth, gentleman. 2. Owen Wynne of Pengwern co. Merioneth esq. 3. Maurice Trygarn of Henblas and Charles Roberts of Wrexham, both of co. Denbigh, gentlemen. DEED TO LEAD (lease?) THE USES OF A FINE to be levied in the Court of Great Sessions co. Merioneth upon a messuage called Bodlosked in the parish of Festiniog. SEALS (NLW The Elwes Documents, No. 1072)

1697 July 15. 1. Howell Lloyd of Bodlosket, co. Merioneth , gent. 2. Owen Wynne of Pengwern. Co. Merioneth esq. COVENANT for the assurance of a messuage called Bodlosked in the parish of Festiniog, co. Merioneth. SEAL (NLW The Elwes Documents, No.1072)

1702 William Pritchard. Born. Not sure where. (Information from Grave 185 in Churchyard, when he died aged on February 1780).

1726 Elizabeth Morris born.Not sure where, later the wife of William Pritchard. (Information from Grave 185 in Llan Ffestiniog Churchyard). She died on19th December, 1808, aged 82.

1743 ‘A list of persons fit to serve the office of a petty constable in the parish of Festiniog for the year 1743. “Evan Morris of Hafod yr offeiriad’ and ‘William Pritchard of Bodlosged’. (Calendar of the Merioneth Quarter Sessions Records).

1772 Jan 25 1.Owen Wynne of Croesnewyddau Denb. Esq. 2. Elizabeth Mathews of City of Chester, widow. LEASE FOR 99 YEARS -messuage called Pengwern. (a large list which includes Cwm and Bodlosgad A.R.) (NLW The Elwes Documents No. 1152)

1772 Will of William Pritchard, Bodlosgad. Wife Elizabeth. (The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth). Varying monies to Sister Margaret Richard, Nephews Richard, Lewis, Owen. Nieces Gwen William, Jane William, Catherine William. Nephew Owen Parry, Niece Catherine Parry, 2

Nephew Evan John. All the rest to his wife Elizabeth Morris. Saddle and weaving app., House furniture, 2 yr old beest, 5 milk cows, 2 barren cows, Yerling Beest, 6 calfs, -----colt, 12----hay, 100sheep, ----oats, 2 pigs and bee hives worth 10 shillings.

1775 July 24 1. Owen Wynne of Wrexham, co. Denbigh esq. and Watkin Edwards his eldest son. 2. John Garnons of Rhiwgoch. Co. Merioneth esq. BARGAIN OF SALE Clogwyd brith, Tydyn Gwyn, Tryfal, Bodlosged, Blaen Cwm Cynfal., Llwyn Cri, (includes properties outside our interest also. A.R.) (NLW The Elwes Documents, No 1073)

1775 July 24 1. Owen Wynne of Wrexham co. Denbigh esq. and Watkin Edwards Wynne esq. his son and heir apparent. 2. John Ganons of Rhiwgoch, co. Merioneth esq. 3. Hugh Vaughen of Hengwrt co. Merioneth esq. RELEASE of the properties specified in no 1161. (NLW The Elwes Collection No 1073).

1780 Grave 185. William Pritchard died aged 78 on the first day of February. Husband of Elizabeth Morris (Cymdeithas Hanes Teuluoedd Gwynedd)

1788 Robert William born.(son of Robert and Elizabeth William). (nformation from Grave 326 in Llan Ffestiniog, cemetery).

1791 Marriage Bond. John Cadwalader, widower, drover, Trawsfynnedd to Elizabeth Morris, Widow, Ffestiniog on Nov. 3. (W1AbNL)004420303. Welsh Marriage Bonds, National Library of Wales, Aberysrwyth

1798 Will of John Cadwalader, drover.Diocise of Bangor. Parish Ffestiniog Township.Welsh Probate Records, National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth. Signed by a mark. Wife Elizabeth. Grandson, John of daughter Caterine, Brother Ellis Hugh - set of best clothes, Son William Jones.

1798 The Land Tax Assessment does not give the names of the properties only the names of the tenants. In the – Ardudwy Uwch Artro, W. Oakley Esquire is down as the owner of varying properties. Looking through all the names the only one that is likely is a Roberts Morris (£2 0). In 1791 there is a marriage bond between John Cadwalader, from and an Elizabeth Morris, widow.

1807 Will made by Elizabeth Morris (widow). The weaving apparel, Saddle and Bridal, Old horse?, 45 sheep, 3 cows, 1 pig, 1 cattle, Implements for Husbandry, Household stuff. Inventory, , Parish Ffestiniog Township, County Merionedd (National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth.)

1808 Elizabeth Morris, wife of William Pritchard died aged 82. (Grave 185, Llan Ffestinig, cemetery. Same grave as husband. Cymdeithas Hanes Teuluoedd Gwynedd).

1825 Elin, Daughter of William and Elizabeth Roberts, Bodlosgad died aged 17. (Grave 326, Llan Ffestiniog cemetery).

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1837 William, son of William and Elizabeth Roberts, died, aged 38. (Grave 326. Llan Ffestiniog cemetery)

1838 Hugh Roberts born. Son of Hugh and Barbara Roberts. (Information from Grave C080 Llan Ffestiniog Cemetery).

1841 Census Robert Williams Age 73 Meirioneth Ellis Williams Age 25 “ Elizabeth Williams Age 72 “ Ann Williams Age 37 “ Robert Williams Age 30 “ Catherine Jones Age 25 “ Cadwaladr Morris Age 20 “ Ann Hughes Age 7 “

1842 Barbara Roberts born. (Information from Grave C080. Llan Ffestiniog) .Not sure if she was born at Bodlosgad

1849 Elizabeth Roberts, wife of , died aged 79, (Grave 280, Llan Ffestiniog cemetery).

1850 Also at Bodlosgad, Thomas - son of Cadwaladr ac Elin Evans died 18 months. (Also on Grave 280 of Lewis Job).

1851 Census. Hugh Davies Head Age 59 Farmer, 24 acres. Ffestiniog Employing 1 labourer Elizabeth Davies Wife Age 55 Maentwrog Margaret Davies Age 19 “ Anne Davies Age 17 “ Barbara Davies Age 9 “ Eleanor Davies Age 25 Dressmaker “ Job Davies Age 18 “ Robert Davies Age 30 Quarryman “ David Davies Age 28 Quarryman “ William Davies Age 14 Quarryman “ Robert Davies Age 83 late farmer of Maentwrog “ Elis Roberts Unmarried Age 39 Farm servant “

1859 Elen, daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth Davies, Bodlosgad died, aged 33. (Grave 674 Llan Ffestiniog cemetery).

1861 census. Hugh Davies Head 68 Farmer Ffestiniog Elizabeth Davies Wife 44 “ Robert Davies 39 Slate quarryman “ 4

Margaret Davies 29 Dairymaid “ William Davies 24 Slate quarryman “ Job Davies 21 Carter(?) “ Barbara Davies 19 Dressmaker “ Ellis Roberts Unmarried 50 Farm servant “

1864 William, son of Hugh and Elizabeth Davies died, aged 27. (Grave 674 Llan Ffestiniog cemetery).

1864 David Davies (earlier from Bodlosgad) died, aged 41. (Grave 675. Llan Ffestiniog cemetery). Also his wife Sarah, who died in 1857 aged 49. And their children ages 4 months, 6 months and 16 years.

1867 William Roberts (son) born to Hugh and Barbara Roberts. (Information from Grave C080).

1868 Elizabeth, wife of Hugh Davies, died, aged 72. (Llan Ffestiniog cemetery. Grave 674).

1870 Hugh Roberts born, son of Hugh and Barbara Roberts. (Information from Grave C080, Llan Ffestiniog cemetery).

1871 census. Hugh Davies Head 79 Farmer, 50 acres Ffestiniog Robert Davies Son 50 “ Margaret Davies Daughter 40 Imbecile through scalding “ Hugh Roberts Son-in-law 32 Joiner, Traws “ Barbara Roberts Daughter, Married 29 houswife “ Elizabeth Roberts G. daughter 7 “ William Roberts G. son 4 “ Catherine Roberts G. daughter 2 “ Elis Roberts Servant 57 Farm servant “

1874 Hugh Davies, husband of Elizabeth Davies, died, aged 82. (Llan Ffestiniog cemetery. Grave 674).

1878 Margaret, daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth Davies, Died, aged 28. (Llan Ffestiniog cemetery. Grave 674).

1880 Robert Williams, husband of Elizabeth, died, aged 92. (Grave 326 Llan Ffestiniog cemetery).

1880 Helen Mary Roberts (daughter) born. Daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth Davies. (Information from Grave C080,Llan Ffestiniog cemetery).

1880 Robert William (I think Roberts) dies aged 92. (Grave 326 Llan Ffestiniog cemetery)

1881 Robert Davies son of Hugh and Elizabeth Davies died aged 66 (Llan Ffestiniog cemetery. Grave 674)

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1881 Census. No. 114. Hugh Roberts Head 41 yrs farmer born Trawsfynydd. Barbara Roberts wife 39 yrs born Ffestiniog. Eliz C. Roberts dau 17 yrs. scholar Born Festiniog Katy Roberts dau 12 scholar Born Ffestiniog Hugh Roberts son 9 Scholar Born Ffestiniog Ellen Mary Roberts dau 1. (also called Helen) Born Ffestiniog

1882 The book “Hanes Plwyf Ffestiniog” was published, Written by G.J. Williams. A quote on page 30 is- Dywed traddodiad fod y fyddin Cymreig yn y cyfnod hwn yn gwersyllu yn Nghwm Cynfal, lle y saif Bodlosgad yn awr, ac I’r Rhufeiniaid ddyfod dros afon Cynfal o Blwyf Maentwrog (o bosibl o Domen-y-Mur) mewn lle a elwid Rhyd-y-gan, a disgyn ar y gwersyll yn ddiarwybod I’r Cymry, fel y gorchfygwyd hwy,a galwyd y lle Bod-los-gad”. Translation: Tradition says that the Welsh army in this time camped in Cwm Cynfal, where stands Bodlosgad now and the Romans came over afon Cynfal from the parish of Maentwrog (from possibly ) in a place named Rhyd y gan, and descended on the camp unaware to the Welsh, conquered them and called the place Bod- loes-gad. Loes = pain and gad = battle.

1883 Robert Roberts born. Son of Hugh and Barbara Roberts. (From Grave C080 in Llan Ffestiniog Churchyard when he died on Chwefror - February 16, 191).

1889 William Roberts, son of Hugh and Barbara Roberts, Bodlosgad died aged 22. (Grave C080 Llan Ffestiniog. Cymdiethas Hanes Teuluoedd).

1891 Hugh, son of Hugh and Barbara Roberts, died aged 20.(Cymdiethas Hanes Teuluoedd) (From grave C080 in Llan Ffestiniog Churchyard when he died on Rhagfyr - December 13, 1900)

1891 Census. Hugh Roberts Head 41 Farmer Ffestiniog Barbara Roberts Wife 39 “ Eliz(?) C. Roberts Daughter, sing. 17 “ Katy Roberts Daughter, sing. 12 “ Hugh(?) Roberts Son 9 “ Ellen Mary Roberts Daughter 1 “

1897 Elizabeth C. Ephraim, wife of John Ephraim, Bodlosgad, Ffestiniog, died, aged 33. (Grave F030. Llan Ffestiniog. Cymdiethas Hanes Teuluoedd Gwynedd, Ffestiniog. Part 1.)

1900 Hugh Roberts (the father) died aged 62. (Grave CO80, Llan Ffestiniog. Cymdeithas Hanes Teuluoedd).

1901 Census. Barbara Roberts Head, widow 59 Farmer. Welsh Ffestiniog Employer Ellen M. Roberts Daughter, sing. 21 “ “ Robert Roberts Son, sing. 18 Farm laborer “ “ 6

Mr Roberts 2 males, 1 female (not sure about this. A.R.)

1907 Barbara Roberts, Hugh’s wife died aged 65. (Grave CO80, Llan Ffestiniog, Cymdiethas Hanes Teuluoedd.)

1910 Owners were the Misses Fletcher and the tenant was Robert Roberts. The Gross value was £3.10 and the Ratable value £215. (Land Tax Assessment for Bodlosgad).

!911 Census. Rhif 136 Image 272 6 rooms Robert Roberts Mab,28 single, Farmer, Ffestiniog 2 lang’s Ellen M. Roberts Merch31, single, Gwaethty Ffestiniog 2 lang’s Hugh J. Ephraim Gwas. 16, single, work on the farm. Ffestiniog 2 lang’s

1911 Goronwy Williams born. First mention of the Williams family.Information from Grave H006, Llan Ffestiniog cemetery.

1913 Nancy Williams born. (married name), was Jones before marriage, from Tyn Ffrydd. Information from Grave H006. Llan Ffestiniog cemetery.

1914 Robert, son of Barbara and William Roberts died aged 31.(Grave C080. Llan Ffestiniog. Cymdiethas Hanes Teuluoedd.

1919 Pengwern Estate sale. Archives, . Lot 8. ‘Bod Llosged’, as now in the occupation of Miss Ellen Mary Roberts, and as described in the following Schedule. 1211 House, Buildings, and Ground in front .554 1214 Cae Pompren 7.136 1213 Ditto 4.043 1243 Gors Goch 2.174 1244 Caeau Isaf 1.568 1245 Ditto 1.613 1247 Buarthy Gaseg 1.101 1248 Buarth Gorlan .527 1246 Plantation (oak) .950 1249 Cae Dan ty 2.275 1209 Buarth Ffynon Wen .501 1210 Cae,r Ty 2.905 1212 Road with Land (entrance to Farm) .570 1197 Cae 2.422 1131 Ffrodd 16.069 1246a Moiety of River .252

1926 Ellen Mary, daughter of Barbara and William Roberts died aged 46. (Cymdeithas Hanes Teuluoedd). (Taken from grave C080 in Llan Ffestiniog churchyard). 1933 John Ephraim, husband of Elizabeth, died aged 71. (Grave F030, Llan Ffestiniog, Cymdiethas Hanes Teuluoedd Gwynedd, Ffestiniog. Part 1). 7

1937 Son John Gwyn Williams born. Son of Goronwy and Nancy Williams. (Information from Grave H006 in Llan Ffestiniog Churchyard).

1939 Son Gwilym Williams born. Son of Goronwy and Nancy Williams. (Information from Grave H006 in Llan Ffestiniog churchyard.) He died aged 1 year.

1940 Gwilym son of Goronwy and Nancy Williams, Bodlosgad, died, aged 1 year. (Grave H006 Llan Ffestiniog, Cymdeithas Hanes Teuluoedd).

1941 Daughter of Goronwy and Nancy Williams, Myra Williams born. (Information from Grave H006 in Llan Ffestiniog Churchyard).

1942 Myra Williams dies.Aged 1 year. (Grave H006, Llan Ffestiniog. Daughter of Goronwy and Nancy Williams. Cymdeithas Hanes Teuluoedd).

1941/2 Morrid Edward Jones born. Son of Robert and Laura Jones, Bodlosgad. (Information from Grave M928 in Llan Ffestiniog Churchyard. Cymddeithas Hanes Teuluoedd, Gwynedd Rhan 1).

1943 Also in grave FO30 - Ellen Ephraim, wife of Hugh J. Ephraim, (Wenallt). (Grave F030, Llan Ffestiniog, Cymdiethas Hanes Teuluoedd Gwynedd, Ffestiniog. Part 1).

1944/5 Robert and Laura Jones went to live in Bodlosgad. Members of Peniel Chapel, Llan Festiniog. Children Anne L., Morris E., Mair, Edward, Eirlys and Marrid. (From Cymdeithas Hanes Teuluoedd Gwynedd Ffestiniog).

1947 John Gwyn Williams son of Goronwy Williams, Bodlosgad dies, aged 10. (From “Achau, rhai o deuluoedd hen siroedd, , Meirionydd a Threfaldwyn”, by T. Ceiri Griffith 2nd edition page 262, 1st edition page 249)

1952 Marrid Edward Jones dies age 10 ½.(Cymdeithas Hanes Teuluoedd) . (Information from Grave M028, Llan Ffestiniog cemetery). Son of Robert and Laura Jones, Bodlosgad.

1989 Owen Goronwy Williams, husband of Nancy, Bodlosgad, Festiniog, Rhyd y glafes, Cynwyd died aged 78. (From “Achau, rhai o deuluoedd hen siroedd, Caernarfon, Meirionydd a Threfaldwyn”, by T. Ceiri Griffith 2nd edition page 262, 1st edition page 249)

1993 Nancy Williams Wife of Goronwy Williams, Bodlosgad died aged 80. (From “Achau, rhai o deuluoed hen siroedd, Caernarfon, Meirionydd a Threfaldwyn”, by T. Ceiri Griffith 2nd edition page 262, 1st edition page 249).

1994 Eifion Williams son of Nancy and Goronwy Williams, died aged 50. (From “Achau rhai o deuluoedd hen siroedd, Caernarfon, Meirionydd a Threfaldwyn”, by T. Ceiri Griffith 2nd edition page 262 , 1st edition page 249).

Since then the house has been in the occupation of the Rattenbury family for a number of years. The present Rattenbury owners are Adam and Penny Rattenbury.

Reference: The Harold Elwes Collection. North Wales Deeds. Deposited by Mr. H Elwes, Barton St. David, Somerset 1959 - 67. Compiled by M. Helen Davies 1976. 14th - 19th century.

Researched by Avis Reynolds. 26 February 2013

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